Season 23 of NCIS is bringing back Emily Wickersham as Eleanor Bishop (known as Ellie or Bishop to her colleagues), effectively continuing the legacy of Cote De Pablo’s popular character, Ziva David. The midseason finale featured her return and left viewers on the edge of their seats for over two months.
Bishop, a key member of Gibbs’ team on NCIS from seasons 11 through 18, could significantly affect the show if she returns. Her potential comeback is already generating buzz, especially since Leon Vance revealed she’s now a wanted fugitive and Jessica Knight’s primary target within NCIS’s elite unit.
NCIS Is Replacing Ziva David With Eleanor Bishop in Season 23
Ellie’s return adds excitement to Season 23 of NCIS, but it also highlights the show’s commitment to bold storytelling – something it’s always been good at. Memorable storylines, like the one that introduced Ziva David, often stand out because they weren’t afraid to take risks, which keeps viewers invested for years.
Ellie’s return to NCIS demonstrates the show’s commitment to trying new things, specifically by revisiting its history and bringing back a character fans thought they’d seen for good. This isn’t the first time NCIS has taken a chance like this, and the way the current storyline unfolds suggests they’re building a new character arc reminiscent of Ziva David’s return.
Ziva reappeared on the show several years after actress Maria Bello left in Season 11, surprising viewers who thought her character had died in a house fire during Season 13. It was revealed that Ziva had actually faked her death, dramatically altering the future of the NCIS series.
Ziva David’s return sparked renewed excitement and was a treat for loyal viewers of NCIS. Once she was out of danger, Ziva reunited with her family – her daughter, Tali, and Tony DiNozzo (Michael Weatherly). This eventually led to a new series focusing on the couple, which debuted on Paramount+ in 2025.
NCIS isn’t afraid to tackle intense storylines, which lets the show explore fresh ideas and grow the franchise. Bringing Ziva back allowed for new developments in her ongoing story after she rejoined NCIS. Ellie’s return offers similar possibilities, establishing her as a strong, contemporary successor to Ziva.
Bishop’s return suggests the show is setting up Ellie for a similar trajectory as Ziva, both having been key cast members for a long time. Just as David became a fan favorite upon her return, NCIS is creating an opportunity for Ellie to grow from a former agent into a legendary character.
Eleanor Bishop’s Return Expands NCIS’ Storytelling Potential
Bishop’s future depends on Ellie proving her innocence. The upcoming midseason premiere reveals Ellie, wrongly accused of cyber-terrorism, will turn to an old love interest for help, suggesting she needs someone she can rely on. This implies Bishop isn’t actually guilty, but is in a difficult predicament.
Since Ellie probably remains an ally, there’s a chance for a satisfying return storyline, similar to how Ziva came back years after leaving. This hints that Ellie is a key part of the show and, like Ziva, is experiencing a resurgence in her role.
I’m so excited to see Ellie back! It feels like the writers are finally setting up a big, long-term storyline for her, kind of like what they did with Ziva on NCIS. It’s more than just her stepping into Ziva’s role years ago – it really shows they want to develop Bishop as a complex character with a truly captivating story arc. I can’t wait to see where they take her!
We won’t fully understand the direction of Ellie’s story until Bishop rejoins her old team on March 3rd. However, Bishop’s return could lead to a continuing storyline, potentially bringing actress Katrina Law back to the role of Eleanor Bishop in the future.
The latest episode hints that the show is honoring Ziva’s memory through Ellie’s return. The title of the next episode, NCIS Season 23, Episode 9, is “Her,” which seems to intentionally echo the episode, “She,” that revealed Ziva would be coming back in Season 16.
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2026-03-03 01:09